Discharge chute mounting for concrete mixers



c, GERST 2,646,262

DISCHARGE CHUTE MOUNTING FOR CONCRETE MIXERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 21, 1953 Filed NOV. 21 1951 INVENTOR. I C'Hk/S Gmsr July 21, 1953 c. GERST DISCHARGE CHUTE MOUNTING FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed NOV. 21, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 LE==E INVENTOR. CHE/6' Ge'Rsr BY Z ATTOR/V'i July 21, 1953 c. GERST 2,646,262

DISCHARGE CHUTE MOUNTING FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Nov. 21, 1951' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IE Liz-.4

INVENTOR. CHR/S 65?.-

which the sole supporting means Patented July 21, 1953 U NITED 7 OFFICE p v I V '.'2 i 46. '2 g-: V Q

msoHARG-IWHU MOUN G D 1 CONCRETE MIXERS 7 v Ghris 'G'ers't, Detroit; Mich, assignoij to The -Transmission Gear company, Dcarbo'rn,

Mich.-, acorporation of Michigan 7 Application Not'eniher 21, 1931-, "Serial 257;486

V 6 c aims. (01. sass-m2) This'invention relates to concrete mixers the transit type and has particular reference to improved mounting :for the discharge chute with which such mixers are provided. V A transit mixer of the type to which this ine venti'on' pertains comprises eneral a mixing drum rotatably mounted on a truck chassis and having an opening at therear end thereof through which the contents of the drum may be dis= a new and charged. The contents of the drum are dis charged by reverse rotation of the 'drumand are discharged into a material receiving and distributing chute which is arranged below the opening in the drum "and adapted to receive and distribute the material discharged from the drum. This invention contemplates the provision of a new and improved mounting means forthedischarge chute which is adapted to supportsuch chute for pivotal movement about avertica'l and a horizontal axis. The supporting structure for the chute is such as to permit the elevation of the discharge end of the chute to be 'duiklyjand easily adjusted.

It is therefore a principal object of the inven tion 'to provide a new and improved iir'iountin'g for the discharge chute of a transit mixer; v

Another objectofthe invention is to provide asupporting structure for a discharge chute which is adapted to support the discharge end-of the chute .at' a plurality of elevations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved mounting means for a dis-'- charge chute in which the elevation of the-dis:

char e end of the chute may be quickly and easily adjusted. r

A further object of the invention is to provide amounting structure for "the discharge chute of a concrete mixer providing for pivotal movement of the chute about a horizontal axis-and characterized by the absence of adjustable linkages or clamps.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mounting structure for a discharge chute in for the chute oomprises'braoket means provided with a pivotal connection with a support arm for pivotal movement of the chute about a horizontal axis, and in which'such bracket is "provided with an adjustable 7 connection with said support armfor maintaining the chute in a desired elevated position.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and may be understood by reference tothe accompanying drawings, of which there are three sheets, which by way of illustration show a 2' p preferredembodiment of the invention and what i now consider to be 'thebes't'rnode in which I have contemplated applying the principles of my invention. Other embodiments of the invention may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in theappended claims.

. 'I'n'the drawings: 7

Fig.1 is a fragmentary perspectiv view of the rear end of "a transit inixerprovided-with diS= charge chute and mounting means therefor ein bodyi'ng' the present i vention. p

Fi 2 a fragmentary side elevational viewiof a part of the mixer shown in Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is fa fra mentary view "partly iii-section and showing a part or the mounting structure for the dischar'ge chute. V i

' ig, 4 is a fragmentary end elevational view of the mountingstructure.

In Fig; i thereis disclosed a perspective view of the rear end of 'a transit mixer-"which is provided with a supporting structure for the dis charge chute of the mixer constructed in accordance with this invention. The mixer disclosed in Fig. 1 includes, in generala r tatable mixin dru n'lo rotatably supported by the mixer frame I: which is mounted upon the'o'hassis of a truck. The drum to is mounted -for rotation about a rearwardly upwardly inclined axis and is adapted to discharge the contents thereof through-an o ening provided at the rear enact the drum and normally closed by a door +4 to which is secured a hopper 16 adapted to communicate with the interior of'the drum for filling {the same. The

door M and hopper it may be suitably secured to a fram structure indicated-generally at 18 which is slidabl'y su port-econ the mixer frame It for opening andclosing the opening at the rear-end of the drum and suitable controls may be provided for openingand-olosiingsuch opening.

, The material discharged from the drum is discharged into a funnel iike structure-"2c which is secured to theinixer frameand arranged to direct the material discharged from the drum into one end ofamaterial receiving and distributing chute 22 which {is mounted forpi'vota'l movement about a vertical a horizontal axis b a mounting structure indicated generally at '24 w'hi ci'ris'at tachedtothe mixer frame T2.

in the embodiment of theinv" ntion illustrated;

the mounting structure '24 comprises a frame 26 which includes upper and lower rearwardly errtending'arms 28 and '30, respectively, connected by a vertically arranged arm 32 which is adapted to seat against the rear wall of the mixer frame- [2 and to be secured thereto by means of brackets 34 at the upper end of the frame, the lower end of the frame 26 being retained against the mixer frame by means of a bar 36 secured to the mixer frame in spaced relation thereto so as to define a slot between the bar 38 and mixer frame l2 for the reception of the lower end of the downwardly turned flange 38. The frame 26 is secured to brackets 34 by means of a rod 40 which extends through openings in the brackets 34 and the vertical arm 22 of frame 26, and the rod 46 may be retained in position by means of a cotter pin 42, although other suitable means might be employed.

The outermost ends of the arms 28 and 3B are provided with vertically aligned bearings or trunnions 44 and a supporting arm 46 is pivotally connected to the frame 26 by means of a rod 48 which extends through a sleeve 50 formed on the arm 46 and through bearings 44 and is suitably secured in place. The arm is arranged for pivotal movement about the vertical axle 48 and such axle is arranged below and at the center line of the spout structure 20. The material receiving and distributing chute 22 is arranged below the spout and is connected to the supporting arm 46 for pivotal movement about the vertical axle 48 in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. Since the chute 22 is pivoted about the axle 48 which is in vertical alignment with the center line spout 20, the material discharged from the drum it will always be directed into the chute 22 regardless of the angular position of the chute 22 about its vertical axis.

A pair of spaced parallel bracket arms 52 are secured to the under side of the chute 22 adjacent the material receiving end thereof. The bracket arms 52 are provided with rearwardly extending portions 56 which are pivotally connected to one end of the supporting arm and provide for pivotal movement of the chute 22 about a horizontal axis whereby the discharge end of the chute may be raised and lowered. The chute 22 is movable about the pivotal connection between brackets 52 and support arm 46 between the generally horizontal position illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 2 and the lowered position thereof illustrated in broken lines in Fig. 2. The brackets 52 and the rearwardly extending portions 54 thereof straddle the support arm 46 and its sleeve 50. The connection between the bracket 52 and support arm 45 is more clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 and comprises a pin 55 secured within aligned openings in the ends of bracket arms 52 and arranged in a slot 58 provided in a block 60 which is secured to the end of arm 46. The slot 58 extends laterally through block 60 and is inclined downwardly so that pin 56 will normally be seated in the bottom of the slot 58. The pin 56 is rotatable within the slot 58 and provides for pivotal movement of chute 22 about a horizontal axis, and pin 58 is slidable within slot 58 thereby permitting longitudinal shifting movement of chute 22 relative to support arm 46. r

A means is provided for maintaining the discharge end of the chute in a selected elevated position and, as shown in Fig. 2, comprises a toothed rack or similar member 52 engageable with a stop means provided on the support arm 48. The stop means may comprise a pin 55 suitably secured Within a boss 68 provided on the end of support arm 46. Each of the brackets 52 is provided with a rack 62 secured thereto on the inner opposing faces thereof. The teeth 68 of the rack are engageable with pin 64 to prevent pivotal movement of the chute 22 about its horizontal axis. The rack 62 is normally engaged with the stop means 54 since the weight of the chute 22 will tend to move the pin 55 and brackets 52 relative to the support arm 46 into the positionshown in Fig. 2.

When it'is desired to raise or lower the discharge end of chute 22, the chute may be shifted longitudinally relative to the support arm 45 by means of the pin and slot connection between brackets 52 and arm 46. Such shifting movement of chute 22 relative to arm 48 will disengage the rack 52 from stop 54 and permit pivotal movement of the chute into a selected elevated position. If the chute is now released, one of the teeth 68 of rack 62 will engage the stop 84 and position the chute in a selected elevated position..

The brackets 52 provide the sole support for the chute 22 and in this respect provide a greatly simplified and less expensive mounting structure for the chute 22 as compared with the mounting structures heretofore employed. It will be seen that the brackets 52 and the support arm 45 are pivotally connected at one end thereof and detachably connected at their other ends so as to provide both a pivotal mounting for the chute and a means for adjustably supporting the discharge end of the chute in a selected elevated position. The chute 22 may be provided with a reinforcing saddle IE! to which the brackets 52 are secured.

While the slot 58 has been illustrated as being v provided in the support arm 56 and the pin 56 connected to brackets 52, it is apparent that the arms 52 might be provided with a suitable slot and the pin secured to support arm 45.

The mounting structure described above provides for a quick and easy adjustment of the vertical position of the chute 22 and such adjustment may be easily accomplished by a'single operator. The mounting structure is characterized by the absence of any adjustable supporting linkages or clamps therefor and thus greatly facilitates the positioning of the chute at a desired elevation. The chute may be raised or lowered in any angular position of the chute about its vertical axis. A suitable means (not shown) may be provided for detachably connecting the discharge end of the chute to the mixer frame during transit.

While I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it is understood that these are capable of modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such-changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:-

1.111 a concrete mixer having a mixing drum provided with an opening through which the contents of said drum may be discharged, a chute arranged below the opening 'in said drum and adapted to receive and distribute the material discharged through said opening, means for supporting said chute for pivotal movement about a vertical and a horizontal axis comprising a frame attached to the mixer, a supporting arm pivotally mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a bracket arm secured to said chute, one of said arms having a laterally extending inclined slot therein, a pin secured to the other of said arms and arranged in said slot for sliding movement therein so as to permit longitudinal shifting of said chute relative to said supporting arm, said pin being horizontally disposed and providing an axis about which sad chute is pivotally supported for raising and lowering the discharge end of said chute, stop means on said supporting arm, and means on said bracket engageable with said stop means in a plurality of positions relative thereto for maintaining said chute in a selected elevated position, said means being disengageable from said stop means by shifting movement of said chute relative to said supporting arm so as to permit pivotal movement of said chute about said pin.

2. In a concrete mixer having a mixing drum provided with an opening through which the contents of said drum may be discharged, a chute arranged below the opening in said drum and adapted to receive and distribute the material discharged through said opening, means for supporting said chute for pivotal movement about a vertical and a horizontal axis comprising a frame attached to the mixer, a supporting arm pivotally mounted on said frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis, a bracket secured to said chute adjacent the material receiving end thereof,-said supporting arm having a laterally extending inclined slot at one end thereof, a pin secured to said bracket and arranged in said slot for I sliding movement thereinso as to permit shifting of said chute relative to said supporting arm, pin being horizontally disposed and providing an axis about which said chute is pivotally supported for raising and lowering the discharge end of said chute, stop means on said supporting arm, and means on said bracket engageable with said stop means in a plurality of positions relative said thereto for maintaining said chute in a selected elevated position, said means being disengageable from said stop means by shifting movement of said chute relative to said supporting arm so as to permit pivotal movement of said chute about said pin. I

3. In a concrete mixer having a mixing drum provided with an opening through which the contents of said drum' may be discharged, a chute arranged below the opening in said drum and adapted to receive and distribute the material discharged through said opening, meansfor supporting said chute for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis comprising a frame attached to the mixer, a supporting arm pivotally mounted on said frame for pivotalmovement about a vertical axis, a bracket secured tosaid chute adjacent the material receiving end'thereof, a connection be-.

and said bracket prol tween said supporting arm viding for pivotal movement of said chute about ,a horizontal axis, said connection permitting shifting movement of said chute relative to said supporting arm, stop means on said supporting arm, and means connected .to said chute and engageable with said stop means in a plurality of positions relative thereto for maintaining said chute in a selected elevated position, and means being disengageable from said stop means by shifting movement of said chute relative tosaid supporting arm so as to permit pivotal movement of said chute about said horizontal axis,

provided with an opening through which the contents of said drum may be discharged, a chute arranged below the opening in said drum and adapted to receive and distribute the material discharged through said opening, means for supporting said chute for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis comprising asupporting arm connected to the frame of the mixer, a bracket secured to said chute adjacent the material receiving end thereof, means connecting said supporting arm and said bracket for pivotal movement of said chute about a horizontal axis for raising and lowering the discharge end of said chute, said connecting means permitting longitudinal shifting movement of said chute relative to said supporting arm, and means associated with said bracket and said supporting arm operable for positioning said chute in aselected one of a plurality of elevated positions, said means" being rendered inoperative by shifting movement of said chute relative to said supporting arm soas to permit pivotal movement of said chute about said horizontal axis.

5. A concrete mixer according to claim wherein said positioning means comprises means below the opening in said drum and adapted to. receive and distribute the material discharged from said drum, means Ior supporting said chute for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis comprising a support arm, a bracket arm secured to said chute adjacent the material receiving end thereof, one of said arms having a laterally extending slot at one end thereof, a pin secured to the other of said arms, said pin being arranged in said slot for sliding movement therein 1 so'as to permit shifting of said chute relative tosaid support arm, said pin providing a horizontalaxis about which: said chute is pivotally supported for raising and lowering the discharge end of said chute, stop means on said supporting arm, and toothed means on said bracket arm engageable with said stop means in a plurality of positions relative thereto for positioning said chute in a selected elevated position, said toothed means being disengageable from said stop means by shifting movement of said chuterelative to said supporting arm so as to permit pivotal move- I ment of said chute about said pin.

CHRIS 'GERST.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,522,292 Noble Sept. 12, 1950 

